And Leave Her Lay Dying by John Lawrence Reynolds Read Free Book Online Page B

“Current Status” before transferring the Genovese case to the grey files.
    McGuire smiled coldly. Silky Pete Genovese had been the most ruthless loan shark in the city, which provided all the motive needed for someone to run him down at midnight on a lonely street near the dockside warehouses. When news of Silky Pete’s death spread through the city, drinks were hoisted and prayers of thanks were offered by hundreds of men who could now afford to miss a payment without the risk of having their kneecaps shattered.
    McGuire sipped his coffee and brandy before turning to the traffic report in the Genovese grey file.

    PERSONAL INJURY/DEATH TRAFFIC REPORT

    REPORT#: 89–3871

    DATE: 3/5/89

    LOCATION: Atlantic Avenue & Beach Street

    TIME OF ACCIDENT: 12:00 a.m. (approx.)

    INJURIES TO (PROVIDE ALL DETAILS):

    VICTIM NAME/EXTENT OF INJURY
1. P.M. Genovese/Death
2.
3.
4.

    HOSPITAL(S): MORGUE

    INVESTIGATING OFFICER REPORT: Call received on 911, approximately 12:13 a.m. re: H&R, Atlantic Avenue, reported by pizza delivery driver (name, address, statement on attached sheet). Officers arrived approx. 12:20 a.m., discovered victim against power line pole #335-A
located 14 feet south of Beach Street. Secured area, called for Medical Examiner, identified collision point as 52 feet south of Beach Street, 3 feet from east curb. Collected following debris:

    1 headlight rim
Various headlight glass shards
1 parking light lens
1 chrome strip, approx. 2 1/2 feet long

    Debris was subsequently confirmed as consistent with standard equipment on 1988 Buick Le Sabre, Embassy Blue colour.

    PRELIMINARY FINDING: Victim was struck at curbside by above­described vehicle (first impact); victim struck power line pole (second impact). Driver of car unknown. Vehicular homicide suspected.

    INCIDENTAL INFORMATION: Victim was identified through papers on person; victim was well-known to rackets squad with extensive record of charges and prosecutions. Victim was in possession of $2,380 cash. Victim’s vehicle (1987 Mercedes Benz sedan, plate #920AFP) was parked at curb opposite location of first impact.
    Not much cash for Silky Pete to be carrying on a Saturday night, McGuire mused. But why was he out of his car, alone, on an abandoned street at midnight? He flipped ahead to the medical examiner’s report.

    AUTOPSY REPORT—HOMICIDE

    REPORT#: 818–633–A

    MEDICAL EXAMINER: M. Doitch

    DATE: 3/6/89

    VICTIM: Peter Michael Genovese

    DETAILS & DESCRIPTION: Victim is male Caucasian between 40 and 45 years of age,
5
feet 10 inches in height, weight 190 pounds, in apparent good health prior to incident in question. Distinguishing marks include scar approximately 8 inches long on anterior of upper left arm.

    Victim has been dead approximately 34 hours (it is now 10:04 a.m. March 6). Massive contusions and fractures to left anterior of thorax, especially infrascapular and axillary areas, resulting in ruptures to major organs. Similar injuries to general skull area including severe shattering of maxilla and right temporal regions resulting in extensive fractures and substantial loss of brain tissue.

    CAUSE OF DEATH: Massive trauma

    PRELIMINARY FINDINGS: Victim suffered thorax injuries in collision with automobile; skull injuries were suffered through impact with heavy fixed metal object 10 to 12 inches in diameter, i.e. power line pole.

    RECOMMENDATIONS: None.
    McGuire tossed the report aside and reached for his coffee mug, draining the contents in one long swallow before leaning back in his chair and pondering everything he had learned.
    Silky Pete Genovese had been set up and run down by a Buick. Probably ducking as he ran for his car. Gets hit on the right side. So why wasn’t his arm injured? His arm would take the first impact. McGuire flipped back through the autopsy report again. No mention of an arm injury. Mel Doitch would have noted a detail like that.
    He sat back in the chair again. Silky Pete’s